Improvement in handles for stamps



and I do hereby declare the following to be a peated use ot' astamp witha rigid handle,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEV C. BOGIA, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HNDLES FOR STAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 41,597, dated February16, 1564.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW C. BOGIA, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,have invented a new and Improved Handle for Stamps, Snc.;

full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had totheaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon.

My invention consists of a gum-elastic tube or block fitted to the dieof a stamp as set forth hereinafter, the said tube or block being ofsuch a size and shape as to form the entire handle of the stamp, thuspresenting a surface of adhesive and at Vthe same time yielding quality,so that but a slight grasp only ofthe hand of the operator is necessary,and so that the abrasion and blistering of the operators hand, whichresults from the remay be avoided.

1n order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will nowproceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, Figure I is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 a plan view,of my improved handle as applied io an' ordinary hand-stamp.

A is a block or die, of any suitable metal, and on the under side ofthis block are the letters, figures, or ornaments from which the desiredimpressions have to be taken. From the center of this block projects astem, a, over which the gunrelastic tube B is tightly fitted, this tubebeing of a sufficient length and diameter for being conveniently graspedin the hand of the operator.

In using ordinary stamps-such, for instance, as are employed for markingthe envelopes of letters in the post otlices-the rigid wooden handles towhich the dies are directly connected are objectionable on acconntof thesmoothness and rigidity of the surface, the i'ormerrendering a tightgrasp necessary, and the latter' causing such shocks that abrasion andblistering of the palm and lingers of the hand ensues after frequentuse'. It will be observed that the stein a penetrates but a shortdistance into 'the gu 11i-elastic handle B, so that it must haveconsiderable lateral elasticity above the point to which the stemreaches. Vhen the handle, therefore, is grasped in the hand and the dieis brought down onto the paper with force sufficient to make the desiredmark, the engraved surface of the die will adjust itself to the surfaceof paper and make an even and perfect impression although at first oneedge of the die only should strike the paper. The main advantage of myimproved stamp, however, results from the adhesive nature of thegum-elastic, which is such that when grasped tightly in the hand thelatter will not slip on the handle at the time the required blow isgiven, whereas an ordinary smooth wooden handle isapt, if not graspedvery rmly, to slip in and blister the hand of the operator.

It will be seen without further description that a stamp with myimproved handle requires less exertion to operate and produces a moreuniform impression than .those with ordinary Wooden handles. Should anincreased lateral rigidity of the handle be required, an additionalsteril, b, may be screwed onto the end of the stem a, thereby forming,as it were, a rigid core Without detracting from the comfort which thegum-elastic tube atfords to the operator Who has to handle theinstrument.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to claim,broadly,soconstructing a handstamp that the die can yield laterally and verticallyindependently ot' the handle; but

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- Thegum-elastic tube or block B, iitted to the die as set forth, when thesaid tube or block is of such size and shape as to form the entirehandle of the stamp, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ATTH FAV C. BOG IA

